The wayward thought filled her with bitterness for a brief second before vanishing.Heleftme.And there was nothing she could do about it, not anymore. Any plans of escape eluded her, still, and the added variable of getting to her dad, as well, made what plans she could muster up that much more impossible in her head.
The tapping returned on the bars but she refused to acknowledge it.Eventually, he’ll grow bored.
Kallan forgot her existence for days sometimes. She’d had a three cycle streak without his attention at one point.
The taps got a little louder.
If I talk to him and get on his good side, we could ally, even for a short time.
Ally for what?She almost laughed at the idea. Gunner wasn’t a plan. He was just another unlucky man.
There was no real escape from this brig, and even if there was, she didn’t know how big the ship was, how many men crewed it. She had no idea how to pilot or where to find the emergency pods. She only knew they were being delivered somewhere, for something, and that delivery could happen at any time.
If she survived until then, the possible dubious connections she could make here in the brig would mean nothing. If blood couldn’t hold two people together, simple words said in desperation held no more weight than a forgotten dream.
Elodie sighed. The tapping next to her head stopped. Then it picked back up. She held in a second sigh.
She couldn’t think of very many pros to getting to know Gunner besides those with immediate gains.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked as if he knew the argument going on in her head.
Food!she yelled internally.You. You and food.
She didn’t have the strength to look and see if there were rations by her cell door. She especially didn’t have the courage to open her eyes and move away from Gunner knowing that he was poised so close that he could hurt her badly if he wanted to.
She also didn’t want to know if breakfast had once again been denied them. Not looking meant she could pretend for a little longer.
I’m thinking of you holding food. You with so much food to offer me that I can remember what it was like to feel full.A picture of his face and his tats came to mind and the way they might move over his cheeks as he chewed. From there, to a feast of everything she loved to eat...
Elodie imagined him with a treasure trove of fresh produce, the kind that was so rare out in deep space, genetically enhanced space fruit and vegetables. Coffee beans that had come straight from the ground instead of the fake powdery stuff that was more common. Gunner didn’t have tattoos of guns on his cheeks but of slices of cake. She’d lick the blood and dirt off his face if there was a promise of chocolate cake beneath.
Her stomach cried at her to stop but she couldn’t.
“You’re thinking about food, aren’t you?”
Her little fantasy died so fast she couldn’t even remember when it began. Her eyes snapped open and she lifted her head up to find an empty space where her rations were normally placed by the androids. Minutes went by as she stared, hoping that they’d magically appear. The tapping beside her continued through her disappointment and her pain, forcing her to look back his way.
“Looking for this?” Gunner held something up.
Between his fingers was a ration, knocking back and forth like his finger had. He was no longer lying on his side, but mirrored her new position and continued to do so as she slid up and leaned her back to the wall.
It wasn’t quite the fantasy she pictured but it was close enough that it frightened her.
“You can have it back if you talk to me. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, I reached through and stole it while you were out. Out like a light, like a bulb, practically already dead. Didn’t want it to go to waste if that was the case.” He leaned in closer. “And your friend over there was reaching for it too.”
The pain in her stomach wailed its sad song, and for the first time, she lashed out and went for it, snatchingherration from his hand. She couldn’t believe she’d gotten it, or her audacity, but the next instant she scurried away with her prize.
Raucous laughter followed her and fuck if she cared. She sank her teeth into the tasteless, chewy gunk and savored every quick bite for the mere moments they lasted.
Kallan grumbled beside her and she knew she’d made herself entertainment again, but was beyond caring as a high of satiation settled in.
When it was over, she found herself sitting and facing Gunner. Her curiosity returned.
He watched her like a predator. She suppressed her sudden unease and nausea that threatened to upend her food.
Elodie made her way back to the wall, knowing his eyes trailed after her the whole way.
“Not going to reward me?” Gunner asked, chuckling. “I think I deserve a reward.”
